We ate our way through Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka marveling at the fresh ingredients, meticulous preparation and mouthwatering results.
The talented chefs create artful presentations in a friendly and convivial atmosphere.
It’s Sushi Time
Omakase
Toshio Matsuno, Tempura Matsu
Cold Udon Noodles on Ice
“At its best, Japanese cooking is inextricably meshed with aesthetics, with religion, with tradition and history. It is evocative of seasonal changes, or of one’s childhood, or of a storm at sea.”
~M.F.K Fisher
Finishing Touches, Tempura Matsu
A Sip of Tea
Fresh Ramen Noodles
Ramen Non, Kyoto
“Even sea bream is not delicious when eaten in loneliness.”
~Japanese Proverb
Ramen Noodle Chef
Kobe Chef
Kobe Beef
Yakatori Chefs
Yakatori Chicken
“Dumplings rather than flowers.”
~Japanese Proverb
Osaka Skewers
Bonita and Roe
Gingko Nuts
Shrimp Tempura
The Art of Octopus
Sushi, Tokyo
Matcha Delight
“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.”
~ Ruth Reichl
Happy Place
Jane Lurie Photography 
Amazing..🤗
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Thank you, Istanbul. Glad you enjoyed. 😊
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The colors are deep and the textures are quite rich. I delight for the eyes and without a doubt a feast for the happy consumers. Happy new year Jane, Peruvian greetings ^_^
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Thanks so much, Francis. It was quite an experience. Wishing you a fantastic 2019. 🌈
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These photos are so beautiful. So nicely framed and very much catching “the moment”. Very very nicely done. Really… magazine material in several of them. Thanks for sharing these.
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Thanks so much, CometoKagawa. I’m happy you enjoyed these. I’m sorry that I didn’t travel to your part of Japan. Appreciate your visit here.
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Most excellent and delicious-looking!
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It sure was, Manja! Glad you enjoyed– thanks so much.
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I love looking at a person who actually knows how to shoot. I always look at my shots, and I’m like “awww, I thought you knew how to take pics, guess not”
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Thanks so much, Greg. So nice of you to say and I bet you’re being too hard on yourself (like we all are!) Appreciate you stopping by.
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It’s why I appreciate your work, when you’re hard on yourself you appreciate the people who do it right
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Well, now I’m hungry, Jane! Gorgeous food photography. The portrait of you and your husband at the end is terrific! That first shot is my favorite. 🙂 Love it!
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Thanks, Patti! Those two sushi chefs were such fun! Glad these whet your appetite– our eating experiences were certainly a highlight of the trip…as you can tell from our smiles. 🙂
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A wonderful mix of creators and creations!
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Thanks, Denise. The food was a fabulous highlight of being there. Such quality and care goes into every dish. Glad I whet your appetite. 😋
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I’m a big sushi fan, I envy your incredibly tasty looking meals. Love the top image with the happy chefs!
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Thanks very much, Göran. This was next level sushi with very happy chefs. 😁 Glad you enjoyed!
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Nice selection you have shown. My grandpa loved his sashimi, usually having it nearly everyday. Neither my mom and grandma developed the taste for raw tuna. Mom said it was an acquired taste. Finding fresh sashimi-grade (or sushi-grade) in Hawaii is just a trip to the fish market. Ali’i ahi is the highest grade tuna you can find there. I may need to make a bowl of soba noodles for lunch. 🙂
PS – Nice to see you and your husband in the last photo.
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Hi David, I wondered where your grandparents lived, and then you answered my question. Hawaii is the place to have a passion for sashimi!
In one Japanese restaurant they brought out a huge piece of tuna to show us before preparing it. It was impressive. Glad you enjoyed this post and the rare photo of its author. 🙂 Thanks so much and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
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I am so drooling, over both the food and your photos!
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I’m so glad, Elizabeth! They were such fun to shoot, then eat. 🙂 Appreciate you stopping by.
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Now I am hungry!
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Then my job is complete, Joshi! Glad these got your tastebuds going- it sure did for us. Thanks so much for enjoying. 🙂
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I am not convinced those green noodles are delicious. What a great overview of Japan. Thank you.
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Oh, they are. Soba noodles are really good! Hopefully the other dishes were tempting to you. 😁 Thanks, Lisa!
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Ha, ha. OK, i will trust you.
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Did you try that all😳
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Hi Detlef, And then some! 😁
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This certainly got my mouth watering… The combination of the artistic presentation of the food with your delightful photos is a joy to behold.
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Hi Gunta, Happy these made you hungry. Every meal was a visual and tasty delight. Thanks so much for joining me. 😁
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Great photos! The food looked great 🙌🏼🙌🏼
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Thanks, Kevin. Spectacular! 👍🏻😁
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Beautifully documented and displayed.
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Thank you, Rhapsody. Happy you enjoyed. 😊
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You have really captured the art of Japanese food, Jane!
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Thanks, Pam. The attention to detail is unmatched when it comes to food and presentation. Glad you enjoyed these!
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fabulous photos, utterly delicious food!
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Thanks, Eddie. The food was definitely a wonderful highlight of the trip!
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Phenomenal pictures of how some of the best food is made!!! Now I have a serious craving for sushi…
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Hi Mackenzie, So glad these made you hungry. Now go find some sushi! 🙂 Thanks very much for your visit.
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The one, two punch of the first two photos is fantastic – I love the laughing chefs in black and white followed by that crazy, multi-hued plate of food. You’re looking as pleased as you should be, after tiptoeing through these delicacies….and your food photography is stellar! Wow! Last but not least, ending with Ruth Reichl is perfect.
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Hi Lynn, So happy you picked up on that contrast. The two chefs were so funny when they broke into that pose. Every chef was eager to present such beautiful dishes….we were in culinary bliss. Ruth R’s quote really hits home, doesn’t it? Glad you enjoyed these–thanks very much!
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Wow, amazing array of food – nice happy photo of you two! ハッピー
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Thanks, Eliza! It was all such tasty fun. Happy you enjoyed them. 🙂
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I love Japanese food! Thanks for sharing this amazing post. 😊
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Thanks, HOL. Me, too! So beautifully fresh and interesting. 🙂
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Your first image is an excellent introduction for all the ones that follow. These are exquisite photos, Jane.
Ω
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Thank you, Allan. That moment just cracked me up– they burst into that pose when I asked permission to take their photo. So fun. Happy you enjoyed this little culinary tour…we were in heaven!
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What fun!
Ω
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All exquisite images! I love the people shots – especially that first one! Wow! And great to see a shot of you and hubby! Btw – Nice to see that your hair is natural grey – very similar in color and length to my wife’s hair.
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Hi Michael, It was such fun to talk with the chefs, when we could, and they were happy to be in photographs which was fun. Much more than I– glad you like the rare photo of us. Yes, I decided to let nature take its course– like your wife–and I am very happy I did. Thanks so much!
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My wife is big on the presentation of food, and for that reason she appreciates Japanese cuisine.
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Hi Steve, It really is true that we eat with our eyes first. The Japanese, and your wife, know this well. Thanks so much, Steve.
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Nice! Almost makes me want to eat sushi – almost.
Sent from my iPad
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Ha, Susan! Then my work is almost done. Happy these tempted you….thanks!
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Yum!
Sent from my iPad
>
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Indeed, Sue! Glad you enjoyed–thanks!
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These are stunning and also tasty….always beautiful captures and compositions I feel I’m there 🤓☺️💫 smiles Hedy
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What a sweet compliment, Hedy, thank you. I am so glad these took you there. 🙂 It was really fun to photograph…and eat!
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What an artists and you captured this so beautifully!
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The chefs are so dedicated. Glad you enjoyed this culinary slice of Japan, Ellen. Thanks so much!
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What a yummy post….must be hard to come back and want to order anything but the real thing!
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Thanks, Linda. Yes! Thankfully, San Francisco has some very good Japanese restaurants but for now, we are resting on our tasty memories. 🙂
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Thanks for the culinary tour. Love the shot of you two.
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Thanks, Jane. Glad you enjoyed our tasty adventures. Such fun. 🙂
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I am fond of food photography but here in these photos “A Sip of Tea” caught most of my attention. Is that a traditional dress or they wear it on a specific occassion? I am curious…
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Hi Moazzam, Glad you enjoyed these. Geishas typically entertain guests with conversation and companionship and we saw a few Japanese Geishas in beautiful kimonos in restaurants and walking on the street . Admittedly, my knowledge about this topic is not very deep but it was fascinating to see them. Thanks so much for your visit.
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Hi Jane, thanks for sharing your knowledge!
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Yes, you got it to a T! Japanese food is so delicious and such a delight to look at. You portrayed the various scenes so well.
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Thank you so much, Paula. The artistry in presentation and the dedication of the chefs was amazing. Glad you think I captured the sense of it!
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Oh my! That’s a LOT of food before breakfast, Jane! 🙂 🙂 Superb action photos!
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Haha, Jo! Food to ponder over your morning coffee. 🙂 Happy you enjoyed these– thanks so much.
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Super captures, great post! A real invitation to visit the “Land of the Rising Sun”… Thanks for sharing, Jane.
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Thanks, Louise. Hope you have the opportunity to visit this marvelous country. Glad you enjoyed.
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Your images are beautiful. Little works of art. There is so much cate gone into each dish and your photos honour this.
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Hi Ali, I was continually wowed by the presentation — you are so right, works of art. I’m happy you think my photos do them justice. Thanks so much.
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Oh Jane, such wonderful photos! I was not as adventurous as you (perhaps because I was alone. I think had Don been with me I’d have delved in a little deeper) but I loved the food, especially the ramen and soba dishes. I got so addicted I’m now making ramen at home in as close a copy as I can of what I had in Japan. I love it. Don does too.
I ate a lot of soft ice cream 🙂
Alison
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Thanks, Alison. Happy these brought back good memories. There are so many options and styles of preparation, it’s amazing. I would consider making Ramen, but there are too many great options in SF! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed these.
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I’ve read the reviews of ramen/soba restaurants in Vancouver (no raves) and been to one of them, and figured it’s better to make my own. It surprises me because there’s a big Japanese population here.
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That is surprising. I bet your Ramen is delicious…your traveling tastebuds have a lot of experience! 🙂
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Yes, please! Beautiful shots, Jane. Now I want some Ramen noodles. And some Kobe beef.
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Glad these made you hungry, Ken. It is all so beautiful and delicious! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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WOW looks delicious Jane and you guys look great 🙂
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Thanks so much, Joe. It was a sensory overload and wonderful trip. 🙂
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Notice how daintily the woman is sipping her tea. The Japanese chef has to be an artist as well as a chef.
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Hi Sharon, There were two Geishas at the restaurant that night which was interesting to see. The artistry of the chefs is unmatched. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
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hi jane interesting series i noticed that the cooks all have satisfied faces.
greetings robert
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Thanks so much, Robert.
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Yum! Yum! I missed Japanese cuisine and onsen! The Japanese knows how to enjoy life – get a nice afternoon hike then get a nice bath at onsen and finally a delicious dinner!
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Yes, indeed, Stephen. We stayed at a Ryokan in the countryside and did just that. Wonderful. Glad this brought back good memories– thank you!
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Very tasty not to mentioned well seen and wellshot. I
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Thanks, Bruce. It was a sensory overload. Glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
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Sumptuous…in every sense! Photos and Food and the Experience!
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Thanks so much, Freddie. Happy you found these tempting. 🙂 It was a feast as much for our eyes as it was for our stomachs!
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Happy place 🙂 It sure is! Great images of wonderful food. The Japanese understand like no other people that appetite isn’t just a stomach thing but also for the eyes. I ‘discovered’ soba in Japan and it still is on my lunch menu once a week.
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Thanks very much, Peter. You are absolutely right…the presentation in restaurants, food halls and stores is beautiful and appealing. Love Soba noodles, too, and also, we had many bowls of Ramen. 🙂
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That looks very tasty.
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It was amazing, Rabirius. Every meal was a tasty delight. Glad you enjoyed these–thanks.
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Your work has put this vegetarian on the fence. Please don’t shoot any liquor stores!
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Haha, Bob. You and me both! Glad you enjoyed these tempting delights. Thank you!
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OMG Jane, love your opener on this one (and the closer of course 😊)
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hi jane interesting series i noticed that the cooks all have satisfied faces.
greetings robert
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Thanks, Robert. Gracious and dedicated people. Glad you enjoyed.
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Thanks, T. We enjoyed every minute as you can see. 🙂
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The food looks lovely, sans the Sushi. Wonderful photos as always Jane! ❤️
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Thanks so much, John. They was lots of cooked fish, too. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed!
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Seems you’re never home, must be in the witness protection program!
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Hi Marc, Sssshhhh…. now you’ve done it. 😄 We don’t like to let grass grow. Great to hear from you– thanks so much.
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